Large Volume Production of Core-Shell Nanothermite

ABSTRACT: Advances in nanotechnology have promised improvements in a variety of energetic materials; however, practical application of the technology has not matched its promise. One area of particular interest is in producing core-shell energetic materials based on metal (fuel)/metal oxide (oxidizer) chemistry that demonstrate thermite-like reactions. Cornerstone Research Group Inc. (CRG) proposes to adapt an existing in-situ manufacturing technique to produce core-shell particles in a scalable process. CRG has demonstrated the scaled in-situ process in previous work, and resulting materials offer higher quality particles than reported in literature. The process allows for a safer method of particle incorporation as no particles are handled by workers and there is no mixing. It is not a colloidal process, so there is no route for agglomeration or phase separation. In Phase I CRG demonstrated the feasibility of the in-situ process to fabricate core-shell nanoparticles. In Phase II CRG will introduce Phase I processes to their existing scaled equipment and develop additional prototype equipment to meet the Air Forces production demands for core-shell nanothermite. CRGs proposed concept will allow high volume production of a material whose theoretical value has been promised but could not be practically realized prior to now due to production limitations. BENEFIT: Operational Benefits: (1) Higher energy density propellants (2) Higher energy density explosives (3) Increased combustion efficiency Commercial Applications: (1) Underwater welding and (2) plateless/jointless railroad track installation or repair.